Friday, February 17, 2017

This
1964 movie classic, "Seven Days in May," has all the suspense and mystery of the best. Being
set in relatively modern times it will bring you back to an era when nuclear
war was not that far removed from the American public’s mind. The Cuban
missile crisis was only two years earlier in 1962. The book, from which the
film is based, was done in 1961, and the then current president John Kennedy
read it and felt a certain “connection” with its basic premise. “Seven Days In
May” is the March Classic Movie shown on the big screen of the Edge Theatre in
Bigfork by Jack Nachbar. It will be accompanied by Jack’s presentation
providing a better understanding of the time period of the movie. Date:
Thursday March 9th. Time:6:30PM. Price: free of charge.

The list of stars in the
movie is impressive with Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Fredrick March and Ava
Gardner doing the acting of this Rod Sterling mystery-suspense story. The movie
going public certainly got the big hitters of the 60s in this one story. An out
of control military with a secret plot to take over the country played well to
a public that went through WWII, the Korean Conflict, and during an ongoing
Vietnam struggle. It received positive critical reviews and audience
response. With two Academy awards nominations, a Danish Bodl award for
directing and Rod Sterling’s nomination for a Writer’s Guild of America award,
the book and movie made a serious impact on the public and industry of its
period.

Kirk Douglas had
originally signed to play General James Mattoon Scott, but he realized that his
friend Burt Lancaster would be perfect for Scott, so Kirk took the less flashy
role of Col. Martin “Jiggs” Casey when Burt joined the cast.

Kirk Douglas was born
Issur Danielvitch 1916 and is one of the last living actors ofHollywood’s
Golden age. In his 64-year career he has appeared in more than 90 movies.Douglaswas a box office star in the 1950s and
60s. known for his serious dramas, he was often seen in war movies and
westerns. His first Oscar nomination was in 1949. Douglas
has three nominations, an Oscar for lifetime achievement and the Presidential
Medal of Freedom. He also wrote ten novels and memoirs and is number 17 on the
American Film Institute’s list of greatest male screen legends. He is the
highest ranking person still alive on the list. He co-stared with Burt
Lancaster in seven movies.

Burt Lancaster, born
Stephen “Burt” Lancaster (1913-1994), was originally known for playing tough
guys in films, but learned to play more complex characters as his career developed.
He was nominated four times for Oscars and won once for his acting in "Elmer
Gantry". He also won a Golden Globe for the same performance, and BAFTA
Awards for the "Birdman of Alcatraz" along with "Atlantic City". The
American Film Institute ranksLancaster number 19 on the list of the greatest
male stars of classicHollywoodmovies.

Director and backer of
this film, John Frankenheimer, almost quit when he heard Kirk Douglas’ friend
Burt Lancaster was going to be in the movie because he had had a very bad
experience with Burt in a previous movie, "Bird Man of Alcatraz". Burt, during an
argument about where the camera should be for a particular scene, had
physically picked up Frankenheimer, moved him to a different place, and set him
back down telling him that IT was the spot for the camera…period. Kirk
promised to keep Burt under control, which he did.

If you need more
incentive to come to Bigfork and see this powerful movie for yourself, you can
read what one review of the period by Bosley Crowther published in February 12
1964 in the New York Times. Bosley wrote, “As a matter of fact, there is a
great deal about the ‘Seven Day In May’ that is rousing and encouraging to a
feeling of confidence and pride – and this in addition to the feelings of tension
and excitement it stirs…” For the whole review go to:http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C05E2D61530E033A25753C2A9649C946591D6CF

So come and see this
thriller of a movie. Place: TheEdgeCentrefor
the Arts, Bigfork. Date and time:Thursday
March 9that 6:30PM.
It will be worth going to Bigfork, because Jack will provide you with
background about the movie and a cartoon of the period. An appropriate
snack will be served courtesy of Jack and his wife/projectionist, Lynn.